MFA students Elizabeth Hubler-Torrey, Ethan Ross, and Hallie LeBlanc have been awarded competitive scholarships for study this summer at the Golden Apple Art Residency in Maine.

Located right on the Atlantic Ocean, Golden Apple offers artists and writers a tranquil environment in which they can fully immerse themselves in their craft. The space was created by Shelley Stevens - a KCAD alum who earned her BA in Painting in 2000 and her MFA in 2004 - and her husband. As someone who knows the difficulty of balancing graduate studies with the rigors of everyday life, Stevens wanted to create a place where graduate students could enjoy the luxury of time.

Ross is an MFA Photography student, while Hubler-Torry and LeBlanc are both in the MFA Painting program. Each had to submit a detailed project proposal that outlined the work they hoped to accomplish while at the residency. Ross and Hubler-Torry were awarded KCAD-sponsored scholarships, while LeBlanc was awarded a scholarship funded directly by Stevens.

Soon, they’ll trade the hustle and bustle of downtown Grand Rapids for the peaceful expanse of rural Maine, joining the many KCAD students that have enjoyed the experience since the Golden Apple Art Residency was established five years ago.